Package

ABSTRACT

Controlled flow liquid disposable unit package for single use packaging and dispensing of liquid commodities and which may be autoclaved and which are easily opened to provide an aseptic opening.

Umted States Patent 11 1 1111 3,917,1 16 Mason Nov. 4, 1975 PACKAGE 2,648,463 11/1953 Scherer 222/107 2,705,579 4/1955 Mason 222/107 [75] Invemor- Edwm Mam, wyckoff, 2,956,710 10/1960 OConnor 222/107 [73] Assignee; Mason Keller Corporation, 2,998,880 9/1961 Ladd 206/484 x Roseland 3,036,756 5/1962 Lieschke 229/66 3,342,326 9/1967 Zackheim 222/541 x [22] Filed: Feb. 1, 1974 3,412,907 11/1968 Faso 222/187 [211 App]. No.: 438,530

Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer Related Apphcanon Data Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lackenbach, Lilling & [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 190,104, Oct. 18, 1971 Si abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 222/92; 206/498; 222/107;

222/187; 222/541 [57] ABSIRACT [51] Int. CL? B651) 47/ 10; B65D 65/32; Controlled flow liquid disposable unit package for i B67D 3/00 gle use packaging and dispensing of liquid commodi- [58] Fleld Search 222N071 ties and which may be autoclaved and which are easily 222/92; 206/4841 498 opened to provide an aseptic opening.

[56] References Cited 1 (him, 7 Drawing figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1941 Abrams 206/498 X U.S. Patant Nov. 4, 1975 FIG./

40 :ii/U

Ill

INVENTOR.

[OW/N W. M450/V PACKAGE This is a continuation of application, Ser. No. 190,104 filed Oct. 18, 1971 and now abandoned.

The-present invention relates generally to packages and, more particularly, to disposable unit packages for liquid products.

The Packaging Institute, Glossary of Terms, copyright 1955, 2d Edition, contains the following definitions:

Disposable 1. Easy to destroy or get rid of. 2. Not intended for re-use, as an inexpensive package like a paper bag, metal can, etc.

Package, Unit 1. Generally, a package which constitutes a unit of sale of a product at the consumer level.

2. A package which contains a single portion or close of a product.

3. A unit-of-sale package in which single portions of the product are individually compartmented.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of novel and improved disposable unit packages.

Another primary object of the present invention, in addition to the foregoing object, is the provision of such disposable unit packages particularly adapted for providing a controlled flow of a liquid commodity.

Still another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such packages providing an aseptic opening so that the package contents will not become contaminated.

Yet still another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such packages that can be autoclaved to assure sterility of the contents.

Yet still further, it is another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, to providesuch packages wherein the contents may be controllably dispensed, drop by drop or more rapidly.

Yet another and still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such packages which may be completely hermetically sealed.

A yet further and still another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such packages which may be readily and easily opened.

Yet another and still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such packages readily adapted to incorporate control or lot numbers.

It is a yet still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, to provide such packages fabricated of coated foil, or the like.

It is still another primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, to

provide such packages having a pocket containing a pad for containing a liquid commodity.

Still another and yet further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing objects, is the provision of such packages wherein such pad is sealed to the foil. I

Another and yet still further primary object of the present invention, in addition to each of the foregoing 2 objects, is the provision of such packages which are economical to manufacture, handle, store and use.

The invention resides in the combination, construction, arrangement and disposition of the various component parts and elements incorporated in improved packages constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention. The present invention will be better understood and objects and important features other than those specifically enumerated above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following details and description, which when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawing describes, discloses, illustrates and shows a preferred embodiment or modification of the present invention and what is presently considered and believed to be the best-mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments or modifications may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, and such other embodiments or modifications are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

IN THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a package constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 1 taken from the opposite side;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational cross-sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a step in the opening of a package in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is another perspective illustration of afurther step in the opening and in the utilization of packages 0 the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 of another package constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

With reference now to the drawing, there is shown and illustrated a unit package constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally by the reference character 10. The package 10 may be made of two webs 12 and 14 sealed together along an end portion 16, along major portions 18 and 20 of the sides and along an intermediate transverse portion 22 extending between the side portions 18 and 20 at the ends thereof remote from the end 16 thereby providing a sealed pocket 24 completely contained by the peripherally sealed ends 16 and 22 and sides 18 and 20. The remaining portions of the web 12 and 14 are preferably unsealed from each other to define a pair of flap portions 26 and 28 at the end portion of the package remote from the end 16.

The pocket 24 may be .drawn in the web 12, as by fluid pressure prior to formation of the peripheral ,seals l6, 18, 20 and 22 and the webs 12 and 14 may comprise a metallic foil, such as aluminum foil previously coated on the adjacent surfaces with a heat activatable adhesive, such as a thermoplastic so that, upon assembly and pressing between mating heated dies defining the seal area 16, 18, 20 and 22, the package will be formed as aforesaid.

The pocket 24 may be, as shown, of substantially any desired configuration such as, for example, the generally rectangular configuration shown and illustrated 3 and is provided with a spout portion 30 extending peripherally outwardly thereof which, upon opening of the package as set forth hereinafter defines a nozzle opening 32 as shown in FIG. 5.

The spout portion 30 extends peripherally outwardly of the remainder of the pocket 24 towards the flaps 26 and 28 and generally into the intermediate transverse seal area 22. Further, the spout portion 30 extends into the seal area 22 a sufficient distance as to extend beyond an outer edge 34 defining the seal area 22 so that a continuation of the outer edge 34 of the seal area passes through the spout portion 30. A closure sealing extension 36 of the seal area 22 provides for sealing of the spout 30 prior to manual opening thereof.

On the web 14, means, such as an indicating line 38 may be provided corresponding to the outer edge 34 of the seal area, including the extension thereof intersecting the spout portion 30. Then, if the flaps 26 and 28 are folded outwardly along the edge 34 and line 38, the seal closure portion 36 being separated down to the line 38, then the opening 32 will be developed as shown in FIG. 5.

As an aid in causing separation of the flaps 26 and 28, one or more of the flaps, such as the flap 26 may be provided with knurling 40, as shown, to provide a slight separation between the flaps 26 and 28 at all times.

Since the area immediately surrounding the opening 32 comprises a portion of the interior of the spout 30 and a portion of the closure sealing portion 36, an aseptic opening is formed to prevent any contamination of material being exuded through the opening 32, as the pocket 24 is squeezed, as shown in H0. 6.

To aid in containing a liquid material within the pocket 24, to aid in preventing inadvertent rupture of the pocket 24, and as an aid in enabling the control of exudation of liquid outwardly through the opening 32, an absorbent pad 42 may be positioned within the pocket 24 and saturated with a liquid material to be packaged such as, by way of example only, and without limitation, food flavorings, medication drops, vitamin drops, cosmetics, condiments, topical medications, and the like. The pad 42 may comprise substantially any suitable material as will be readily apparent to those who may be skilled in the art, including cellulose pads, fabric pads, non-woven textile pads, plastic fibrous mats, foamed plastic, and the like and may be freely positioned within the pocket 24 or may be secured therewith, as at a zone 44 by heat sealing, adhesive sealing, and the like.

By appropriate selection of the heat-sensitive foil coating to be compatible with the product, packages constructed in accordance with the present invention provide complete hermetic sealing with zero transmission of moisture and contamination. Further, by appropriate selection of the coating, packages in accordance with the present invention may be autoclaved so as to be thereby rendered sterile and as heretofore pointed out, when the flaps 26 and 28 are folded backwardly, as shown in FIGS. and 6, an aseptic opening is provided.

As heretofore pointed out, pockets of other shapes and having nozzle portions disposed in other than a comer relationship may be utilized in the present invention. For example, and again, without limitation, there is shown and illustrated in FlG. 7 another package constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, wherein like reference characters are used as for the package 10, with the reference characters being primed. Hence, the nozzle portion outward bending of said outboard end portions of said of the package 10 is disposed generally at the center line thereof, with the closure sealing portion 36 thereof extending above the generally transversely extending seal edge 34' with the transverse sealing portion 22 being also generally symmetric about the center line of the package. Hence, when the flaps 26' and 28' of the package 10 are folded downwardly towards the end 16', an aseptic opening will be formed.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in terms of an embodiment or modification which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention should not be deemed to be limited by the precise embodiments or modifications herein described, disclosed, illustrated or shown, such other embodiments or modifications as may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein, being intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and breadth of the claims here appended.

What is claimed is:

1. Package for shipping, storing and controlled dis pensing of a unit'or single use quantity of liquid, comprising, in combination, an absorbent resilient pad of a size easily compressed between the thumb and forefinger of a user and of a material which is nonreactive with such liquid; a unit or single use quantity of liquid ab sorbed within said pad; a pair of flexible generally rectangular sheets of metallic foil superposed one over the other one of said sheets having a recess pre-formed therein defining a generally rectangular pocket only slightly larger than said pad for containing said pad therewithin without compression to maintain such liquid absorbed within said pad during shipment and storage, the other of said sheets defining a cover extending across and covering said recess enabling compression of said pad and controlled expressing of said liquid from said pad by squeezing thereof between a users thumb and forefinger without contaminating said liquid, said pad and said sheets being of sufficient resil ience and flexibility to enable expansion of said pad,

enlargement of said pocket and cessation of expression of liquid from said pad upon release of such user compression thereof, said recess further comprising a portion defining an elongated and narrow spout portion extending generally outwardly of said pocket, and means in the nature of a heat activatable coating hermetically sealing said sheets together peripherally completely around said pocket and spout portion to protect said pad and liquid from contamination and being manually peelable in the region of said spout to enable man-. ual peeling back of said sheets in the region of said spout to a controlled extent less than the length of said spout portion to provide a restricted opening near the outboard end of said spout portion and an aseptic annular rim defined by a portion of said peeled sheets so that during expression of said liquid through said opening said liquid only touches material theretofore previously sealed to retain said liquid sterile as it is expressed outwardly through said spout portion and said opening and enabling the dispensed liquid to be readily visually observed during such dispensing by the user, said means for sealing forming a stop line which defines a generally straight line edge obliquely disposed relative the longitudinal axis of said pocket and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said spout portion, said spout being narrow and tapered outboard thereof to define a restricted dispensing nozzle upon 3,9 17,1 16 6 sheets and parting of said sealed portion from the end spout and out of the visual line to said opening to of said spout portion to said straight line edge so that thereby provide further enhanced visual observation the outboard end portions of said sheets, upon being and control of the dispensing. folded backwardly thereto, extend upwardly of said 5 

1. Package for shipping, storing and controlled dispensing of a unit or single use quantity of liquid, comprising, in combination, an absorbent resilient pad of a size easily compressed between the thumb and forefinger of a user and of a material which is nonreactive with such liquid; a unit or single use quantity of liquid absorbed within said pad; a pair of flexible generally rectangular sheets of metallic foil superposed one over the other one of said sheets having a recess pre-formed therein defining a generally rectangular pocket only slightly larger than said pad for containing said pad therewithin without compression to maintain such liquid absorbed within said pad during shipment and storage, the other of said sheets defining a cover extending across and covering said recess enabling compression of said pad and controlled expressing of said liquid from said pad by squeezing thereof between a user''s thumb and forefinger without contaminating said liquid, said pad and said sheets being of sufficient resilience and flexibility to enable expansion of said pad, enlargement of said pocket and cessation of expression of liquid from said pad upon release of such user compression thereof, said recess further comprising a portion defining an elongated and narrow spout portion extending generally outwardly of said pocket, and means in the nature of a heat activatable coating hermetically sealing said sheets together peripherally completely around said pocket and spout portion to protect said pad and liquid from contamination and being manually peelable in the region of said spout to enable manual peeling back of said sheets in the region of said spout to a controlled extent less than the length of said spout portion to provide a restricted opening near the outboard end of said spout portion and an aseptic annular rim defined by a portion of said peeled sheets so that during expression of said liquid through said opening said liquid only touches material theretofore previously sealed to retain said liquid sterile as it is expressed outwardly through said spout portion and said opening and enabling the dispensed liquid to be readily visually observed during such dispensing by the user, said means for sealing forming a stop line which defines a generally straight line edge obliquely disposed relative the longitudinal axis of said pocket and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said spout portion, said spout being narrow and tapered outboard thereof to define a restricted dispensing nozzle upon outward bending of said outboard end portions of said sheets and parting of said sealed portion from the end of said spout portion to said straight line edge so that the outboard end portions of said sheets, upon being folded backwardly thereto, extend upwardly of said spout and out of the visual line to said opening to thereby provide further enhanced visual observation and control of the dispensing. 